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Synlait provides half year performance update

Half Year Results3 February 2026SMLConsumer Staples

Synlait Milk Limited · 1028 Heslerton Road, RD13 Rakaia, Canterbury, New Zealand · www.synlait.com











NZX: SML

ASX: SM1



4 February 2026


Synlait provides half year performance update


Synlait Milk Limited (Synlait) is providing an update on its financial performance for the six months

ended 31 January 2026 (HY26).


The current financial year will deliver a valuable reset for Synlait, with the sale of the company’s North

Island assets due for completion on 1 April 2026. The sale will substantially strengthen the company’s

financial position, with the proceeds used to significantly reduce debt.


The sale will enable Synlait to centre its core operations on Canterbury, with renewed focus on

delivering continuous operational excellence and customer diversification to support longer-term

profitability, however, it is clear the company’s recovery will take time.


While the manufacturing challenges experienced at Dunsandel have now been largely resolved,

Synlait continues to face related cost and operational impacts. The need to rebuild inventory

across product segments required significant adjustments to Synlait’s manufacturing plans this

dairy season, relative to a normal year. To enable these adjustments, additional raw milk sales

were made during HY26, which weighed heavily on margins and operating costs.


The company’s first half performance has also been impacted by lower relative returns from our

commodities portfolio. In addition, Synlait has taken a conservative approach and not recognised

further deferred tax assets arising from unused tax losses beyond those recorded at 31 July 2025.

Synlait has not been impacted by the ARA ingredients associated with recent infant formula

recalls.


Given the above, Synlait is expecting underlying EBITDA of between breakeven to $5 million for

HY26, with a reported EBITDA loss expected of -$28 million to -$33 million

1

. For the same period,

the company is forecasting an underlying net loss after tax of -$33 million to -$38 million with a

reported net loss after tax of between -$77 million and -$82 million

2

.


As noted in Synlait’s FY25 financial statements, an insurance claim has been accepted relating to the

losses Synlait incurred as a result of the manufacturing challenges. While the claim is expected to

recover a portion of these losses, the final amount and timing of reimbursement remain subject to

further assessment and settlement processes. The company will provide further updates in due course.


Synlait has not yet closed its books for the half year, and this preliminary update remains subject to an

audit review process being completed.



1

Synlait’s underlying EBITDA for HY25 was $68.5 million, reported EBITDA for the same period was $63.1 million.

2

Synlait’s underlying NPAT for HY25 was $8.7 million with a reported NPAT of $4.8 million.


Synlait Milk Limited · 1028 Heslerton Road, RD13 Rakaia, Canterbury, New Zealand · www.synlait.com




Synlait is actively engaging with its banking syndicate while working towards the completion of the

North Island asset sale on 1 April 2026.


CEO Richard Wyeth commented: “We are very disappointed with the six-month result and the impact it

has had on the pace of our financial turnaround. However, we have made progress with real momentum

in our operations, a renewed Canterbury-based ELT, and the North Island sale set to fundamentally

strengthen Synlait. Our strategy is being reset, and we are confident it will provide a pathway to return

Synlait to success, although this will take at least 12 months.”


More information will be provided when the company releases its half year result on Monday 23 March

2026.




For more information contact

Jo Scott

Corporate Affairs Manager

E: jo.scott@synlait.com

P: +64 21 883 123

Data sourced from publicly available filings. Our datasets may not be complete. Automated analysis can produce errors. If you believe any data on this page is incorrect, please contact us at hello@nzxplorer.co.nz. For informational purposes only. Not investment advice.

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